Protect Your Oklahoma Home From Water
Every year, severe spring storms sweep the Oklahoma area, causing pooling water and water seepage into crawl spaces. Water intrusion can be problematic for homeowners, creating both immediate and long term issues. Musty odors, mold growth, and wood deterioration are just a few common symptoms of moisture in crawl spaces. This is why you need to hire a waterproofing specialist to look for crawlspace water-related issues. At Pierman Foundation Repair Services, we’ll assess your water problems and find the best remedy for your crawl space issues. This will likely include crawl space encapsulation.
Why Crawl Spaces are Prone to Moisture Problems
Foundations that include a crawl space, be they stem wall, pier and beam or a different variety, are the most prone to moisture problems. There are a number of obvious reasons for this.
1. Exposed Crawl Space Floor
Unless your basement is very old, it probably includes, at minimum, a concrete slab floor. Many crawl spaces don’t. Instead, they are exposed directly to the dirt beneath your home. These unsealed floors, when conditions are damp, continually release moisture into the crawl space. This exacerbates the type of water problems that basements usually have both because there is no barrier to stop humidity and water doesn’t even have to find a crack to enter like it does with basements.
2. Crawl Space Venting
Venting used to be suggested as a way to reduce crawl space moisture. Now it is generally considered to be counterproductive. While the vents might let out humid air when the air outside is dry, it just creates another means for moisture to enter on humid days. During those occasions, vents lay out the welcome mat for additional moisture to enter your crawl space.
3. Lack of Attention
If you have a basement, even if it is unfinished, chances are it is used for something. Even if it is just storage or appliances, you will be likely to notice if water is getting into it. This is obviously even more true of slab foundations. For many, however, crawl spaces are out-of-sight, out-of-mind. Problems are allowed to fester until they get serious because only then do the homeowners notice that the problem exists.
4. Unconditioned Air
Most crawl spaces are not on a home’s HVAC system, which could help in modulating the humidity levels. While the humid air will eventually seep into the rest of the house (raising the humidity levels), that is unlikely to significantly decrease the humidity.
What Problems Are Caused By Damp Crawl Spaces?
If your crawl space has moisture problems, you may have one or more of the following issues:
Musty odors- Insect infestation
- Wood deterioration in beams, foundation footer, and floor joists
- Wall settlement
- Soil erosion underneath the foundation
- Wall movement and cracks
- Crawl space mold growth and mildew
- Wet insulation
- Surface condensation
- Warping or buckling floors above the crawl space
- Increase heating and cooling bills
Don’t let a wet, damp crawlspace reduce the value of your home and affect your family’s health. Since mold thrives in damp, wet environments, your crawl space becomes the perfect habitat for mold growth. Mold spores can be dangerous, causing serious respiratory issues for the elderly and children. Mold exposure causes a rash, watery eyes, coughing and other allergy symptoms. The best way to prevent mold growth and water in your crawl space is to control the level of moisture.
Regardless of what is causing your crawl space moisture, our experts can locate the source so you can feel comfortable and safe in your home. Pierman Foundation Repair Services offers the best solutions to prevent crawlspace water in your Oklahoma home.
What Is Crawl Space Encapsulation
Crawl space encapsulation can solve many crawl space moisture problems. The most recognizable feature of crawl space encapsulation is a vapor barrier. The vapor barrier, typically made of tear-resistant plastic sheeting, is installed on the crawl space walls and floor to prevent water vapor from passing into the crawl space and increasing the moisture levels. Any structural components resting on or sunk into the ground, like the piers in a pier and beam foundation, are also wrapped in the sheeting.
Along with the vapor barrier, crawl space vents are sealed. This eliminates the other common way for humidity to enter your crawl space. In some cases, a crawl space dehumidifier is also installed to help with the process of removing moisture from the air.
The Benefits of Crawl Space Encapsulation
Crawl space encapsulation refers to the process of sealing off and insulating the crawlspace area beneath a building. This technique offers several benefits:
- Moisture Control: One of the primary advantages of crawl space encapsulation is moisture control. By installing a vapor barrier on the floor and walls of the crawlspace, it helps prevent moisture from entering the space. This reduces the risk of mold growth, rot, and decay, which can damage the structural integrity of the building and compromise indoor air quality.
- Improved Indoor Air Quality: Encapsulating the crawl space creates a barrier that prevents moisture, odors, and contaminants from seeping into the living spaces above. By reducing the humidity levels and minimizing the presence of allergens, pollutants, and radon gas, it helps improve indoor air quality, making the home healthier and more comfortable for occupants.
- Energy Efficiency: Crawl space encapsulation can contribute to energy efficiency in a building. By sealing off the crawlspace, it minimizes the exchange of air between the crawlspace and the living areas, reducing the amount of conditioned air that escapes. This can lead to lower heating and cooling costs by reducing energy waste and improving the overall insulation of the building.
- Enhanced Structural Integrity: Moisture and excessive humidity in the crawlspace can lead to various issues that compromise the structural integrity of a building. By encapsulating the crawlspace and controlling moisture levels, it helps protect wooden beams, floor joists, and other structural components from rot, decay, and termite infestations. This can extend the lifespan of the building and reduce the need for costly repairs.
- Increased Property Value: Crawl space encapsulation can add value to a property. Homes with properly encapsulated crawl spaces are attractive to buyers due to the associated benefits, such as improved indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and reduced risk of moisture-related problems.
What Crawl Space Encapsulation Can’t Do
Crawl space encapsulation is an important part of dealing with most crawl space moisture problems. It is not, however, sometimes the entire solution. Vapor barriers are very effective against, well, vapor. If your crawl space regularly floods, however, more significant waterproofing methods will be necessary, whether that means exterior drainage to direct water away from your foundation or an interior drainage system with a sump pump.
Wondering if Your Oklahoma Home Needs Crawl Space Encapsulation? Give Us a Call
Pierman Foundation Repair Services specializes in all crawl space waterproofing methods, including crawl space encapsulation. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and for a free estimate.
Our experts will help you find and prevent the source of your problem. Don’t settle for quick, easy alternatives because they won’t permanently fix the issue. Contact our experts today to prevent wet, damp crawl spaces in Oklahoma.
